In this climate of severe cost cutting in the airline industry, it’s important to know how you can get what you want, when you want it.

Here are five ways you can put take more control of your comfort and convenience when you fly.

Dress the part

Take control of your comfort by wearing the right stuff. New shoes are a no-no. Your feet are bound to swell onboard, making new shoes quite uncomfortable. Instead, wear comfortable shoes that you’ve broken in, and that can be slipped on and off easily.

Leave the tank tops, short shorts and skimpy clothes in your suitcase. On some flights, you may even be asked to cover up, or worse, get off the plane, if your attire is deemed offensive.

Forget the light, white clothing. Seasoned travelers know washable, dark clothing is best. If you spill on a dark colored dress or slacks during a flight, you’ll have a better chance of removing the spots later.

Also lose the form-fitting clothes, particularly those with tight waistlines. By definition you’ll be sitting with a seatbelt on for extended periods of time. Don’t wear tight jeans, slacks or skirts. After a few hours, you’ll be thinking of putting on your pajamas next time around.

Make your seat selection known

Everyone wants the best airline seat that they can find, but many travelers don’t bother to ask for it, or don’t even know how to get it.

Make a seat selection when you book your trip either online or on the phone. If you don’t do this, you’ll get a computer-assigned seat which may not be what you want. Of course you can still try to switch your selection before you fly, but the closer you get to your departure date, the fewer seat choices you’ll have.

My preference is an aisle seat, which often translates to more leg room.

If you need a maximum amount of leg room in the coach section of the plane, possibly due to a medical situation, tell the agent at the airport or let the airline know when you book the flight. You may be given a bulkhead seat or one in an emergency row where there is typically more room.

Here’s another seating strategy. If you’re traveling as a family, it may be difficult to book seats together, but you may be able to switch when you get on the plane.

Tell the flight attendant that you’re traveling together and would like to sit together. On a recent Delta flight to New York, the flight attendant made it work. Before we took off, she played “musical chairs” with several people until everyone was satisfied.

Plan to nap

If you think you can’t sleep, or at least doing some serious resting, on a plane you may not be taking control of what you want.

Forget the aisle seat that gives you the extra legroom. Book a window seat so you can lean against the plane with your pillow. This seat will also keep from being jostled or awakened when your seatmates get up to use the restroom.

Wear sunglasses or strap on a pair of fabric eyeshades. I’ve used this strategy many times, and it works. Sure, you look goofy when the plane is fully lit if you’re flying during the day, but who cares if you arrive better rested.

Bring snacks

In this cost-savings culture, lower your expectations when it comes to great food on board. On a recent five-hour flight from Chicago’s O’Hare to the Virgin Islands, a cold bagel with a slice of ham and a piece of cheese was available for $5 and a small trails mix snack was available for $2. Beverages, with the exception of wine and alcohol, were, thankfully, available at no charge.

Many travelers on board this flight had brought on food they had purchased at the airport.

You won’t be saving money if you bring on airport food, but you will be eating what you want when you want.

Another thought is to bring snacks from home. Few fliers pack sandwiches, but some do bring along snacks like string cheese and protein bars.

Recognize your limitations

Seasoned travelers know that flexibility counts, big-time, when it comes to having a good travel experience.

While there are many things you can change when you fly -- sometimes you just have to maintain your cool and not try to control everything around you.

Try to maintain a good attitude and don’t play the blame game with those who are not in control of all the variables. It does no good to scream and yell at the reservations desk representative about a cancelled flight due to weather or mechanical problems.

In the long run, you’ll get more what you want, and maintain your driver’s seat edge, if you can keep a pleasant demeanor, even when you’re seething inside.